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Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards

VENTURA COLLEGE - FINANCIAL AID
SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS STANDARDS

The purpose of the Financial Aid Programs at Ventura College is to facilitate the successful academic participation of financially needy students. In order to be eligible to receive financial aid funds, federal regulations require that a recipient maintain satisfactory progress toward their educational objective(s) (Degree, Transfer, or Certificate).

STANDARDS

Financial aid students must maintain the standards outlined below. These standards apply to all college level course work taken and include all course work taken before the time a student establishes eligibility for financial aid at Ventura College.

1. Grade Point Average (GPA) - Financial aid students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.

2. Units - Financial aid students are required to complete 2/3 (.666) of the number of units attempted each academic year (Fall, Spring, Summer-e.g., 18 units attempted during the semester X 2/3 (.666) = 11.98 rounded to 12). Grades of F, NC (no credit), I (incomplete) and W (withdrawal) are considered attempted, but not completed.

Students who fail to complete 2/3 of the courses attempted (as they appear on their academic transcripts) with a 2.0 GPA or better in a given period will be placed on PROBATION.

PROBATION

During a probation semester students must complete all attempted units with a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or better (i.e., enrolled in 7 units-complete 7 units; enroll in 9 units-complete 9 units, enroll in 12-complete 12 units). Financial aid is available during a probation semester. Students who have been placed on probation will have their academic record reviewed at the end of the probationary semester.

WITHDRAWALS

Any student applying for financial aid who completely withdrew from all classes or received no credit for all attempted classes (i.e., all F'S, NC'S, I'S, W'S) will automatically be suspended from financial aid eligibility the next semester of attendance. To regain eligibility see "Reinstatement".

MAXIMUM TIME FRAME

Students must complete their educational goal within a maximum unit time frame. Grades of F,I, NC, W, and transfer units, as outlined on your Counselor Certification Form, will be considered as attempted units and will be included in this time frame.

The maximum time frame is as follows:

AA/AS = 90 attempted units

AA/AS/Transfer = 90 attempted units

Certificate Program only = 36 attempted units

Students who have exceeded the maximum time frame and/or have attained an AA/AS, BA/BS, etc., will be required to submit an appeal to reinstate eligibility. Students will only be allowed one change of major.

COURSE REPETITION

For financial aid purposes, courses may be repeated consistent with district academic standards, as identified in the college catalog and as allowed.

ESL COURSES

ESL courses will not be counted when determining the maximum time frame for a student. However, students may be required to submit an appeal once they have attempted 90 units. The academic progress in ESL courses will be considered when assessing both the student's overall GPA and overall completion rate.

REMEDIAL COURSES

Funding for remedial course work is limited to a maximum of 30 units, provided the remedial courses are included in the students Educational Plan and identified in the college catalog.

SUSPENSION OF ELIGIBILITY

Students who fail to meet the requirements during their probationary semester will be placed on "Financial Aid Suspension" and will no longer be eligible to receive financial aid, with the exception of the Fee Waiver (BOGW), until they have been reinstated. To regain eligibility see "Reinstatement".

REINSTATEMENT

Students may regain eligibility after:

b. Successfully appealing. (See Appeals)

APPEAL PROCESS

Students who have had their financial aid suspended may file an appeal with documentation, if they have had special circumstances. Examples of such circumstances are:

Illness of the student.

Death of an immediate family member (your spouse, child, parents, brother, sister, or grandparents)

Other extraordinary circumstances that prevented the student from meeting the minimum standards.

Exceeded maximum time frame (note: only one change of major allowed)

The Financial Aid Office and/or the Appeals Committee will review all appeals and students will be notified in writing. Students whose appeals are denied may request a review of that decision by the District Financial Aid Committee.

Please read and fully understand the terms and conditions of this Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards. Failure to comply with these terms will jeopardize future eligibility.

Last Updated 5/26/09